Lord Vishnu in His Supreme Form

Lord Vishnu in His Supreme Form

Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

          King Bali was known for his generosity.  In order to test his commitment to his words, Lord Vishnu appeared as a dwarf  (Vaman). He asked for land which would be covered by just three steps of His. Bali granted him His wish. The dwarf transformed himself into the supreme form of Lord Vishnu.  In one step He covered the earth; in second step He covered the sky. He asked Bali " where shall I place my third step?" In all humility,  Bali offered his head. Lord Vishnu stepped on his head. Bali went to the underworld.  But Lord Vishnu was impressed by his generosity and truthfulness and by his honouring his pledge. He granted him the boon, that he could revisit Earth once in a year. 

        Here we see King Bali granting the wish to Vaman on the bottom right side. Lord Vishnu has taken the Universal form and stretched his leg to the moon. Besides Arjun, King Bali is another person who had seen the the Lord's universal form. 

        This myth is full of symbolism.  Like Abraham, King Bali is also tested by God. But Bali is true to his words. Honouring one's word, or truthfulness is important.  The story also explains the rejuvenation of Earth after the hot summer. In fact, Pongal in Kerala is celebrated in order to mark the return of King Bali on Earth. 

        Most importantly, the story is about self - confidence.  We are dwarfed by our own psyche. At times, we lack confidence.  Yet there is infinite energy and faith within us. If we were to tap the inner strength, we can take giant steps in our life. We too can take the Universal form of the Lord. 

Sadashiva ( A form of Lord Shiva)

Sadashiva ( A form of Lord Shiva)

Prathihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

            One of the most unusual  sculptures of the Bhopal Museum is this figure of Sadashiva. Lord Shiva in his form as a Trinity, as the creator, the preserver and as the destroyer,  is called Sadashiva. In the Elephanta Caves He is shown with three male heads. Surprisingly here He is depicted with two female heads: of Parvati and Chamunda. This clearly reflects the influence of Tantra art on this sculpture.  The influence of Tantrism is not surprising as Tantrism, an occult form of Hinduism was at its zenith in the 10th Century CE. But the sheer size of the sculpture, almost life - size, reveals the importance of the figure in a temple.  

            The inclusion of Goddess Parvati and of Goddess Chamunda is significant.  Parvati holds a mirror on the left side of the figure; Chamunda is drinking blood from a bowl on the right side of the figure. While Parvati is depicted as a young and a beautiful woman, Chamunda is portrayed as a hideous and ferocious looking woman. Both depict the twin aspect of Nature: the calm, the serene, the benevolent is Parvati; the destructive, the violent is Chamunda.  The Lord sits calmly between the two extremes. 

            Our mind is also like Sadashiva.  It has both the creative and the destructive sides to it. But a detached persons is full of equanimity, full of serenity, full of compassion, like the Lord Himself. Like Shiva we also have our desires around our neck/ waist (as in this sculpture ).  But a Yogi keeps the desires under control. This figure is as much a reflection of the prevalent process in the Universe as it is about human psychology.  It, thus, represents both the micro and the macro levels of existence.  

            Like all great Indian sculptures, this figure reflects a great philosophical concept.

Lord Kuber

Lord Kuber

Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

            Lord Kuber is the Hindu God of Wealth.  He is an interesting character in Hindu pantheon.  For, He is step-brother of Ravan. He is said to live underground and not in the sky as other gods do. He is a demi-god. It is easy to recognise him as he has a protruding belly (as in this sculpture ),  usually carries a bag full of money or gems; the bag being made of a mongoose skin. 

          He lives underground as precious metals and gems are found under the earth. Mongoose has the ability to burrow under the ground. Hence, bag full of gems and money-- bag made of mongoose skin. 

           Kuber symbolises "arth" ( economics); the second goal of Hindu life. The ancient Hindus recognised the importance of trade and commerce, of money. Unlike the Greeks and Romans, we have two dieties for wealth: Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber. But while Goddess Lakshmi symbolises the benign aspect of money,  Kuber depicts the voracious or the greedy aspect of money. He is thus shown as indulging in drinking as well: "drunk" with the power of money. His arrogance is also well known. Thus His character is also a warning to the people, not to be arrogant about one's wealth.

            To acquire wealth is certainly a laudable goal. But to be greedy and arrogant and ostentatious are wrong characteristics in a person. Wealth which is hoarded is called "Kulakshmi", a sister of Goddess Lakshmi who personifies poverty and pestilence. For money which is locked up is useless to the society.  Like blood, money too should circulate to keep the society healthy. Money spent on charity, on the poor and the downtrodden, earns good deeds or Karma. Money spent on oneself is said to be wasted. It reflects egoism and arrogance. Money spent wisely is a boon, spent foolishly, it is a curse. 

           Kuber symbolises both the be aspects of arth, money: the beneficial and the destructive.  This is why He is a demi-god, and yet related to Ravan.

Uma - Maheshwar ( Lord Shiva with Goddess Uma)

Uma - Maheshwar ( Lord Shiva with Goddess Uma)

Prathihara Dynasty,10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

             After the sudden death of Sati, Lord Shiva retreated into the Mt. Kailash and sat in deep meditation. His withdrawal froze the landscape and everything became desolate.  The gods were worried. Absolute control over the desires leads to a lifeless existence.  Shiva had to be aroused from the deep meditation.  Lord Kama was sent, but he was burnt. Only Gauri or Uma could win his heart, but through austerity. She won. She domesticated his wild nature. 

            Here They sit in each others company. She looks at Him with deep reverence. He at Her, with deep love. The cosmos revolves around them. Lord Brahma stands on top left, Lord Vishnu on top right, Ganesh sits on bottom left, and Kartikeya on right bottom of the viewer.  

           When we lose someone, we too become shell shocked. We need to be brought out of our mourning.  The desire to live, to prosper, to excel needs to be rekindled. Nature, in all Her splendour  ( Goddess Uma) smoothens the harsh edges of the intellect. She draws us back into the beauty of life. We begin to create (Brahma), we begin to preserve  (Vishnu ); we work with wisdom (Ganesh ), and with force (Kartikeya ). All is well.

Maithun Figures

Maithun Figures

Chandela Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

             Kama or desire was one of the four goals of ancient Indians. But today it is misunderstood by the Indians themselves. To the ancients Dharma (righteous conduct ), Artha  (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha  (liberation from the cycle of life and death ) were the four goals of life. But under the influence of other civilisation, and value systems, Kama is becoming a taboo subject. 

            Buddhism too saw desire as  the root cause of misery in the world; Christianity and Islam equated desire with temptation.  But for Hinduism desire is essential.  For without desire Nature ceases to exist. It is desire which propagates a species. Thus, desire and sex are fundamental to our existence. 

           Of course, when we speak of desire, it must be in moderation.  Love should not turn into lust, nor desire into greed. But to deny desire is to cap human emotions, human capabilities,  human achievements. Desire is what fuels a civilisation to grow, to prosper. 

           Eroticism in Indian art has always raised eyebrows of the conservatives and the vandals. But it is a celebration of life. For without desire and emotions life is a Martian wasteland.

Dancing Ganesh

Dancing Ganesh 

Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

             Although Lord Ganesh is the God of wisdom, He is seen in various forms: as a sleeping child, as a child worshipping a Shiva Ling, as a dancing figure ( as in this figure), as an adult reading or writing, and even playing cricket or sitting on a rocking chair. His forms are as varied as human imagination permits. Wisdom is not a monopoly of any age, or form. It is universal. 

             Here the Lord holds an axe in one hand and his broken tusk in the other hand. The other two  hands are striking a dancing pose. The axe is symbol of wisdom 's ability to cut through any obstacle. Hence He is  the God who removes the obstacles.  The broken tusk is symbolic of His being a scriber. He records our deeds and awards or punishes us accordingly. 

             He dances for the universe is in constant motion. While one foot is firmly planted, symbolising stability,  the other foot is lifted and in motion, symbolising time and motion. 

            He is also surrounded by his parents : Goddess Parvati on his right, and Lord Shiva on his left. This not only completes the Shiva family,  but also depicts Nature (Goddess Parvati ), and the intellect  (Lord Shiva). Wisdom is not isolated; it does not exist in a vacuum. It thrives in the Nature and the intellect. It throbs and pulsates throughout the universe. It is not the monopoly of a caste or a creed or of a race. It is as universal as the universe. 

Lord Surya ( The Sun God )

Lord Surya ( The Sun God )

Prathihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

           One of the finest sculptures of the Bhopal Museum is this small statue of Lord Surya. The museum has a good collection of sculptures from Hinglajgarh   in M. P. The history of the city of Hinglajgarh is unknown.  But it's sculptures can compete with the finest sculptures of Khajaraho.  Although both belong to the Khajaraho School,  the sculptures from Hinglajgarh are more finely chiselled, are more delicate,  and are more well proportioned than the figures from Khajaraho.  Whether these figures belong to the same temple or come from different temples is also u known.  But the high quality of work testifies to the prosperity of the city, and to the high aesthetics of the people.  

           Today is Lord Surya ' s day as today is Raviwaar.  The Lord holds two lotus in his hands. Like many flowers the lotus also opens and closes according to the sun. Since it floats on murky water, it is the symbol for the human mind and soul. It is said that when the highest "Chakra" ( wheel) of the mind opens, it is like the blossoming of a lotus with thousand petals. Thus, the mind has to be as wife encompassing as the rays of the Sun. 

           According to Valmiki, the author of Ramayan, the Sun causes the division of time. Without the Sun there would be no day and night. It causes the change in the seasons; it causes the rains. It also dispels the darkness of the mind and the soul. It is omnipotent and omnipresent.  It is said to be the God of Gods. Even Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are said to worship Lord Surya. For it is Surya who is the source of all energy; He is the source of life. Life exists as long as our minds are open  like the thousand petal lotus.